Individual Results
Team Results

FORT VANCOUVER, Wash.—The Cal State San Marcos Men's Cross Country team wrapped up a fantastic 2012 season on a strong note, taking third out of 32 teams in the NAIA National Championships Saturday and earning their second consecutive appearance on the national podium.

The Cougars— last year's runner-up, and coming off an impressive A.I.I. Conference Championship victory two weeks ago— finished with 165 points, ahead of fourth place Oklahoma Baptist's 179, but were narrowly edged out by St. Francis (138) and Southern Oregon (153).

Consistently up front for the Cougars as usual were the duo of Western Nelson and Daniel Lyon, who each claimed their program-best third All-American award by finishing in 17th and 18th overall. Nelson finished the 8-kilometer course at the Fort Vancouver Historic National Site in 25:05, just one second faster than Lyon.

Nelson, a junior, will have the exceptionally rare opportunity to become a four-time NAIA All-American next year, a feat that has never been done in CSUSM history in any sport. Meanwhile, Daniel Lyon capped off a phenomenal senior year and Cougar career in which he shattered the school record by 30 seconds, and claimed two A.I.I. individual conference championships.

The Cougars, who were winning throughout the majority of the race, might have had a third All-American if not for an unfortunate turn of events. Freshman Steven Ing—a notoriously tough competitor— was in-line for a top-30 finish before stumbling in the final 50 meter homestretch and collapsing. Dehydrated and exhausted, Ing mustered up the strength to get up, although initially facing the wrong direction.

Amazingly, Ing righted course and reached the finish line as the team's third finisher, a huge boost for the team. He finished 59th overall in 25:43.

Senior Nate Avalos came through with a clutch performance for the Cougars as the fourth scorer, placing 65th in 25:49, while freshman Michael Hewitt rounded out the top five in 70th in 25:51. Deng Akuien and Zachary Laurenzana displaced opposing runners in 81st and 151st overall.

"The guys ran very well today," said head coach Steve Scott. "It's tough to be so close but the team showed once again they belong with the best out there. Steven [Ing] gave everything he had, which is what you dream of as a coach. It's unfortunate what happened. The team had an excellent season and has a lot to be proud of."

The third place finish was the program's fourth podium appearance in their 14-year history. The Cougars finished 3^rd in 1999, 4^th in 2003, and 2^nd in 2011. In addition to the third place finish Saturday on the men's side, CSUSM also placed second in the combined men and women's cross country team title.